Downton Abbey Highclere Castle Special Events

We depart London and make our journey southwards to Hampshire to visit the magnificent Highclere Castle. This will be known to many as Lord Grantham's family seat, Downton Abbey itself. We head through the landscaped grounds by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and up the gravel drive to the door. Lord and Lady Carnarvon have welcomed cast and crew here for the entire run of the show and one can come across so many familiar locations both in and outside of the house. See where O'Brien tripped up Bates, where Kemal Pamuk's body was moved, the dining room, where delicious dialogue is served up along with the food. Visit Robert Crawley's library and the various bedrooms and walk down the grand staircase. Enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants here and then explore the beautiful grounds.

 

The Special Event programme in May allows customers to enjoy the Castle, but also hear from experts and explore Highclere in greater detail:

 

The talks are not wholly about Highclere – they may consider Anthony Van Dyck,  given the magnificent painting in the Dining Room and use that as starting point, or Joshua Reynolds or Richardson and the establishment of the Royal Academy in London.  I hope to begin and end our May week with a talk by myself on Sir Charles Barry, the pre-eminent Victorian architect who was building the Houses of Parliament at the same time as he was building Highclere Castle."

Lady Carnarvon

After 4 hours at Highclere Castle we take the short journey Downton Village (Bampton) for the afternoon to see St Mary's church scene of so many weddings, a funeral or two and a jilting when it was transformed into St Michael's in Downton Abbey. See the Cottage Hospital and Mrs Crawley's house during the guided walk, visit the village green, post office and The Grantham Arms pub.

 

Disclaimer: International Friends Downton Abbey day trips and tours are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way supported, directly or indirectly, by Carnival Films, NBC Universal or Julian Fellowes and his representatives. 

Important note about cancellations - Due to the very limited availability of Highclere Castle tickets all bookings for this day trip are 100% non refundable.